"This means users can optimize cycles for specific products, improve inventory turns, and generate a solid return on investment."
ST. PAUL, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Life science companies continually evaluate their operations for
opportunities to improve throughput, increase compliance, and reduce
costs. Medical device manufacturers, laboratories, and R&D facilities
can all experience greater flexibility and more control with an in-house
ethylene oxide (EO) sterilization program. By reducing what can be a
two-week turnaround time with outsourced sterilization, operations
managers can expect faster release of finished goods and increased
inventory turns for a measurable and sustainable economic benefit. In
particular, companies that process small, high-value devices can benefit
from the new 3M™
Steri-Vac™ Sterilizer/Aerator GSX Series ethylene oxide (EO)
sterilization system, with state-of-the-art mechanical design, real-time
cycle information on the high-resolution color touch screen, and the
ability to quickly and easily customize sterilization cycles.
With the first-of-its-kind 3M™ Cycle Programmer software program, the
cycle developer can design custom cycles tailored to each product or
device to be sterilized. Especially useful for complex or combination
drug/device type products, 3M Cycle Programmer provides a user-friendly
interface with the option to adjust 28 different cycle parameters in 8
active stages of the sterilization process. Once a cycle developer
creates a custom cycle on a PC, the cycle file is transferred and
uploaded to the sterilizer on a standard USB drive and stored in a
supervisor menu for future use or loaded to the operator menu for
immediate availability.
Steri-Vac GSX Series sterilizers utilize 100 percent ethylene oxide – a
traditional, efficacious and proven sterilant – delivered in sealed,
single-dose 3M™ Steri-Gas™ EO Gas Cartridges. These cartridges are
punctured when the sterilizer door is locked and the chamber is under
vacuum. These engineering safeguards were designed with operator safety
in mind.
With efficient and customizable sterilization cycles, the GSX Series
sterilizers can help companies decrease cycle development and validation
time, increase throughput, simplify final lot release, and adapt to
varying production demands. The products and accessories provide an
“order, install, qualify and run” system – reducing costs for design,
start-up and maintenance compared to custom-built systems.
“Not only does the Steri-Vac GSX Series sterilizer offer incredible
flexibility in customizing cycle parameters, the state-of-the-art
dynamic humidification process and independent monitoring and control
sensors provide a level of control not previously available,” said Janet
Prust, Director, Standards and Business Development. “This means users
can optimize cycles for specific products, improve inventory turns, and
generate a solid return on investment.”
When setting up in-house EO sterilization operations, companies
committed to environmentally sustainable business practices choose to
install the 3M™ Abator, a highly effective device used to catalytically
convert EO gas exhausted from the Steri-Vac GSX Series sterilizers to CO2
and water vapor. At normal operating conditions, removal efficiency is
99.9+% (when EO is > 100ppm), virtually eliminating emissions to meet
environmental requirements.
3M also offers reliable, compliant sterilization monitoring products to
meet manufacturing and validation requirements for ethylene oxide (EO)
and other sterilization processes. 3M™ Attest™ Biological Indicators,
self-contained biological indicators, are available as standard readout
(24-48 hours) and rapid readout (one to four hours) systems, when used
with the appropriate 3M™ Attest™ Auto-reader or Incubator. Various
chemical indicators and indicator tapes are also available to provide a
comprehensive set of process monitoring tools.
About 3M At 3M, we apply science in collaborative ways to
improve lives daily. With $32 billion in sales, our 90,000 employees
connect with customers all around the world. Learn more about 3M’s
creative solutions to the world’s problems at www.3M.com or
on Twitter @3M or @3MNewsroom.
Contact:
For 3M Emily Finley, 612-342-9732 Karwoski & Courage Public Relations e.finley@creativepr.com
Companies that process small, high-value devices can benefit from the new 3M Steri-Vac Sterilizer/Aerator GSX Series ethylene oxide (EO) sterilization system, with state-of-the-art mechanical design, real-time cycle information on the high-resolution color touch screen, and the ability to quickly and easily customize sterilization cycles. (Photo: 3M)